All about Nursing Informatics Education

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Apr 17, 2009

Greetings erikmla

Hi,
I'm an RN, Ass. degree, with 8years working experience and considering going back to college to specialize in nursing informatics. This area seems very new to me and will be grateful if you could give me more light with regard to the below;
1.I 've decided to do this program online as I will still have to work. First I've reviewed the course contents of most colleges and they seemed to be having some variations. With your experience, which college(s) do you recommend as having the best program? Among those I have reviewed are University of Phoenix , University of Maryland, Walden university......
It really depends on what you want your degree concentration to be in. I'd say dont limit your self to Nursing Informatics but think about and look at Healthcare Informatics programs too - excellent programs - Excelsior, U of Maryland, Vanderbilt, Colorado U, Duke, Loyola, U of IL and Northwestern.
2. What basic IT requirements do you recommend I have before going into this program?
A Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, etc), comfort level with e-mail and in navigating in on- line enviroments - Blackboard, message boards, forums, IMing, etc.
3.Having been there for years, what are the challenges out there? Any good motivation/compensations? And have you ever regretted going into that specialty?
Challenges - take a look on this forum and read what other informatics professionals report. For me, clinician resistance to change has been one of the big challenges. Other challenges include:IT leading the project instead of clinicians, automating for automations sake and not to improve practice and care. Motivation/compensation - You are involved in improving clinical practice and pt care through the use of technology, for me its "fun". I've paid my dues and am well established in my career so monetary compensation is not usually an issue. Don't expect to make the highest salary when first entering into the specialty - you do have to learn and pay your dues just like in clinical nursing practice. Yes occasionally I've regreted it but there were days when I practiced clinically and regreted being a nurse but for the most part I enjoy what I do.
4.Where do I get info on financial support/scholarships for this program?
Check with each school and Good Luck with your decision.
Thanks.
Erikmla

erikmla · Apr 17, 2009

Hi,

Thanks for your quick response, but your reply calls for some further clarifications;

1.What is the difference between health informatics,nursing informatics,medical informatics, & RHIA (registered health information administrator)?

2.Are health/medical/nursing informatics ONLY offered at masters level, and that one must have B.Sc in health information administration before reading health informatics?

3.Or is Medical/health informatics a general program under which specialties like nursing/pharmacy/dental informatics come?

4.Who is/are the authority(ies) in health informatics/nursing informatics as far as program accreditation,licensing and professional examinations are concerned?

Because when I checked about a health informatics program at Western Governors Univ., I learned that their program was not accredited.

5.Who are AHIMA, CAHIIM, AACN, AMIA etc? Who is in charge of this field/program? If each of them play a role, can you please educate me as far as who is who and who I will be dealing with if I take up health/nursing informatics?

I apologize for my naivety.

Thanks.

Erikmla.

melbanurse · Apr 17, 2009

You have some of the same questions I have. Recently, I was approached about a possible informatics position. The position sparked my interest and I am perusing these forums for information. I am an RN with an Associates degree and recently completed a Bachelor's degree in Business/Information Systems through University of Phoenix. I would love to get into this field but concerned about the economy and most likely a significant drop in pay. Also, I have a decent grasp of computer related concepts but lack experience.

What state are you from?

erikmla · Apr 18, 2009

Hi Melbanurse, as you said this field seemed to be a new area to some us; the titles are very confusing and even the college programs. And I would only like to do a program which would be an advancement in my career; I don't want to be thrown out of the nursing stream, loose my ranking and get less pay after spending all the time and money.

That is why I will like to know who is the authority in this new specialty. Because when you contact the colleges, their answers are very confusing. I will really be thankful if some one can come very clear on this. By the way, my state is California.

Thanks.

Erikmla

rninformatics, DNP, RN · Apr 18, 2009

Greetings Erikmla and Melbanurse,

Many of the questions you both pose have been asked and answered numerous times in this forum.

Please take some time and search this forum plus see the the links below. The links below direct you to previous posts on this forum that should also help answer some of your questions.

Medical Records vs Informatics

https://allnurses.com/nursing-informatics/health-information-mgt-380211.html

Job security

https://allnurses.com/nursing-informatics/job-security-what-373650.html

Accreditation

https://allnurses.com/nursing-informatics/msn-information-please-324206.html